Automobile elevator



June 18, 1929. Q B; HARRIS AUTOMOBILE ELEvAToR Filed Aug. 8, 1927 31a/vento@ (Eiger/:zbt

Patented June 18, 1929.

'CLARENCE B. 'HARRIS,-OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE ELEVATOR.

Application filed 'August 8, 1927. Serial No. 211,583.-

This invention relates to automobile elevators or lifts of the automatic type, that 1s, devices in which the power or momentum of the automobile itself causes the same to beY lifted above the flooror ground to a position in which its running gear and other parts are readily accessible for oiling, repair and the like. 'y

Such devices generally take the form of in- ]0 clined runways with which a wheeled carriage cooperates, the automobile passing partly over the carriage and then engaging an abut-- ment on the forward end of the carriage so as to cause both the carriage and automobile to be lifted as the wheels of the carriage ride up the inclined runways. In such structures it is necessary that the automobile back away from the lift because of the presence of the abutment which prevents a complete forward movement of the automobile over the lift. Many garages are so constructed as to necessitate that the automobiles continuev in the same direction on leaving the garages and under such conditions it is obvious that lift-s of the type described are impracticable. An object of the present invention resides in the construction of a lift of the type described in which the abutment to be .engaged by the front axle is removable from the carriage or else movable to a position in which it will not be engaged by an automobile pass- -ing over the lift. y

Another object of the invention consists in the provision of a removable bearing head for the forward end of the carriage provided with fiat plates or wings adapted to formy bearing surfaces for springs of automobiles of the underslung type.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve the construction of this type of automobile lift so as to render the lsame more practicable and durable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing; in which Figure l is a side elevation of the automobile lift with my improvements incorporated therein.

Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe carriage; and

Figures 3 and 4 are side and end views respectively of the removable abutment.

Referring to the drawing in greaterdetail the numeral 1 designates the base or frame of the new auto lift and may be constructed of channel iron and provided with a sulicient bracing element to provide a strong and durable construction. v

Securedto the opposite ends ofthe base member are inclined runways 2 and 3 adapted to serve as tracks for the carriage 4 on which the automobile is adapted to rest as it is lifted from the ground. Each of 'these runways is formed of two channel irons, lone for each wheel 5 of thecarriage, and the bases of the channel irons are lpreferably vso lined with wear clips 6 which serve to extend Y the life of the apparatus by reinforcing and protecting t-he runways. The channel members or inclines 2 and 3 may be supported `by transversely extending channel bars 7 which are rigidly secured to the base member 1.

The carriage 4 is also preferably formed of channel bars riveted together and suitably braced, and the wheels 5 of the carriage are provided with roller bearings 8 to reduce friction and generally improve the operation of the apparatus.

Bolted to the top of the forward end of the carriage 4 is a cast steel head or bearing plate 9 provided with Wings 10. This element 9-10 serves as a support or bearing for the front axle of the automobile being lifted, and it should also be noted that, due to the dimensions of thewings 10, this bearing element is well adapted to receive and support the springs of automobiles of the under-slung type. By this arrangement, therefore, the lift is adapted for use with practically all types of present day automobiles.

As hereinbefore stated it is of paramount importance that'lifts of the present type be so designed as to permit an automobile after beinfr repaired to be run forwardly olf of the lift so as to avoid confusion by backing the automobile about the garage. To this end I have provided the carriage 4 with a removable abutment 11 which is'provided with the angularly disposed faces 12 and 13 aud reinforcing web 14. .The forward end of the carriage is provided with an extension 15 of angular cross section adapted to non-rotatably support the abutment 11, the latter being provided with an opening 16 to receive the eXtension 15 for this purpose. The abutment member may be locked to the extension 15 by means of a pin or the like 17, and it will be obvious that when the-pin is withdrawn the abutment may be readily removed from the extension 15 and turned to inoperative position and replaced on theeXtension. It will thus be apparent that after an automobile has driven onto the lift and been raised due to its Contact with the abutment in the position shown in Figures l and 2, it may again move forward after it is lowered to the iioor after the abutment 11 is removed -or replaced in inoperative position; i. e., with its working 'face in horizontal position.

In the present embodiment of the invention I have shown a conventional type or pivoted latch 18 provided with ratchet teeth 19 and adapted to cooperate with a fixed element on the carriage to releasably lock the latter in elevated position.

From the foregoing description taken in Connection with the accompanying drawings it will be observed that I have devised an automobile lift of simple and inexpensive design,

-which is strong and durable in operation,

readily and simply operated, and in which provision is made for the vehicle to continue on in the same general direction aft-er it has been repaired and returned to the floor otl the garage, thus avoiding any liability ot confusion and congestion within the garage or other location of the lift.

In accordance with the have described what I now believe to be the best embodiment ot the invention, but it .is to be understood th at various modifications may be made in the details oli construction without departing Yfrom the spirit oit the invention, and it is my intention to include all such changes within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim as new by Letters Patent is:

An automobile litt including a base member, inclined runways on said base member,a wheeled carriage mounted on the runways, a horizontally disposed projection ot angular crosssection secured to said carriage, and an abutment having an opening of angular shape mounted on said projection, whereby the abutment may readily be adjusted to inoperative position.

CLARENCE HARRIS.

patent statutes I and desire to secure 

